Gordon Aikman dies aged 31

 

Gordon Aikman, the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) patient and campaigner, has died. He was 31 years old.

Gordon was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at the age of 29 in 2014. Following his diagnosis, he formed the Gordon’s Fightback campaign  successfully lobbying the First Minister to double the number of MND nurses and fund them through the NHS. He also raised over £500,000 for research to help fund a cure for the terminal condition.

He received a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 2015 Birthday Honours and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in the same year for his work to transform care for people with MND and efforts to find a cure.

“We are heartbroken. Gordon was beautiful, kind, funny and utterly determined. He achieved more in the few short years after his diagnosis with MND than many of us do in a lifetime. Gordon’s campaigning and fundraising has truly inspired people, changed lives across Scotland and we are so proud of him. We will miss him terribly.”

Gordon dealt with his illness with great humour and only on 1 January I smiled at the black humour in this tweet:

Oh hi 2017, I didn’t expect to see you. Thanks for all the love and support that’s helped get me here. pic.twitter.com/OqsRY8hFhm

— Gordon Aikman (@GordonAikman) January 1, 2017

Joe Pike tweeted this morning :

My beautiful husband @GordonAikman has died. We are all heartbroken. He was my best friend, my soulmate and the love of my life. pic.twitter.com/nxPPz1ZVNB

— Joe Pike (@joepike) February 3, 2017

Commenting on the death of Gordon Aikman, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said: “This is incredibly sad news. Gordon was a generous and determined gentleman. My thoughts go out to Joe, Gordon’s family and friends.

“His contribution during the independence referendum campaign was both intelligent and joyful. I have great memories of working with him. He has left a great legacy that no one will forget.”